Five things to get off my chest after this latest awful performance in European football

1. LACK OF SURPRISE. Is there one single Celtic supporter anywhere that is surprised at the manner of that performance tonight. It was awful, absolutely awful. These players collectively seem to have a mental block when faced with quality opposition and Zenit are a decent side but hardly brilliant. In fact they didn’t really need to show us what they can do because the goals were gift wrapped and presented to them by shocking Celtic defending.

2. BACKING BRENDAN. Let’s start with the money. There’s £30million in the bank from the money the club have made from Brendan’s time in charge. Then there’s the £9.5million they will get from the Virgil van Dijk sell-on clause after that and assuming we don’t blow things domestically, then there’s the Champions League money from later in the year. The thing about that is it is taking into account the supporters buying the three match package, should we get through the qualifiers. I have heard fans who go to the games home and away, start to question this and think that the money might be better in their pockets and watching the game for free in the pub. Brendan needs a goalkeeper, a central defender and a right back at the very least and everyone knows it. If he’s not given the resources he may decide to let someone else have a go.

3. JAMES FORREST AND SCOTT BROWN. IN Ronny’s last season when Griffiths scored 40 goals and basically carried the team to the finishing line, we wondered what would we do without super Leigh. This time around we are operating with Forrest and Brown consistently carrying the team, that’s a little harsh on KT to we’ll give him pass marks. As for the rest? We have more passengers this season than our bus to Pittodrie on Sunday and that’s only due to the lack of tickets.

4. THOSE INJURIES. Our players after the 1998 World Cup returned and from France and Celtic really suffered for a while, we had a rotten season other than the 5-1 game when Lubo introduced himself. We had so many injuries that season and didn’t Lubo play up from out of necessity? Anyway, this season after a summer break amounting to 2 or for the lucky ones 3 weeks – Scotland played England on 10 June and 6 of our players were involved. They reported back to Lennoxtown two weeks later. This season we have been falling like flies. Has anyone asked why?

5. THE WAY FORWARD. Everyone of us Celtic supporters want the very best for Celtic and we have supported the team 100%. However Brendan is a world class football manager and there are players in that squad who continually let him and us down on the bigger stages. They need to be replaced. Brendan made his mind up about numerous players in Ronny’s squad when he arrived and they guys were shipped out one way or another. He now needs to do the same thing with the current squad and the Board need to give him the money that he needs to do the job. Brendan knows he’s not got English Premier League money to play with at Celtic and he has been happy with things – that, you sense is changing. He has adapted his ambitions to match Celtic’s position in the game, now it’s time for Celtic to adapt to match their manager’s standing.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

3 Comments

  1. This is the tranistion season. The players have leveled of and some have proved they are not going to take us forward. The injuries this season have been crippling and I think Rodgers rotating the squad hasn’t helped with our performances. But it has been needed.

    We need to go again. Get to the end of the season, successfully then regroup and rebuild.

  2. I think we have to look at Brendan’s tactics as well. Aren’t we all sick of “possession football” with absolutely no end product. Back, side, up to half way, side then back………boooooorrrrriiiiinnnnnngggggg

    • the word i seem to using on a weekly basis is passive. i’m sure the manager and coaching team don’t want us to be passive in possession. we were more direct last week and agressive in possession.

      there is not a collective believe in that team that they can do it at that level. even domestically this season we have been less agressive and brave on the ball. it’s a mentality thing that the manager needs to sort.